The lex Papia Poppea, a law proposed by consuls Papius and Poppeus in ancient Rome at the request of Emperor Augustus, is often associated with another law called the lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus. This law granted exemption from guardianship to women who had three or more children. It also regulated marriages, prohibiting certain unions between senators and freedwomen, as well as between senators and actresses or prostitutes. Additionally, the law imposed penalties for embezzlement of public funds and deemed adultery a public offence.
The Lex Papia Poppea is a law in Roman law that was proposed by the consuls Papius and Poppeus at the request of Augustus. It is often considered together with the lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus as a single law. This law governs marriages and mandates that all men between the ages of 25 and 60, as well as all women between the ages of 20 and 50, must be married. It also prohibits marriages between senators and freedwomen, as well as between senators and any other freeborn citizens who are actresses, prostitutes, or similar. Additionally, the law grants an exemption to women who have three or more children from being placed under guardianship. For instance, a 30-year-old unmarried man would be obligated to marry under the Lex Papia Poppea law, whereas a 55-year-old unmarried woman would not be required to marry due to exceeding the age limit. This example demonstrates the law’s requirement for men and women to be married within certain age ranges, as well as the exemption for women with three or more children from guardianship.
Lex Papia Poppea was a Roman law enacted in 9 AD by the Emperor Augustus. It aimed to regulate marriage and procreation among Roman citizens.
The main provisions of Lex Papia Poppea included restrictions on marriage and penalties for remaining childless or not having enough children. It also provided incentives for those who had more children.
Yes, Lex Papia Poppea applied to all Roman citizens, regardless of their social status or location.
The penalties for not complying with Lex Papia Poppea varied. For example, those who remained childless could face financial penalties, loss of certain privileges, or even forced marriage. However, the severity of the penalties depended on the specific circumstances.
Yes, there were some exceptions to the provisions of Lex Papia Poppea. For instance, those who were physically unable to have children or had already reached a certain age were exempt from the penalties.
Compliance with Lex Papia Poppea was primarily enforced through local officials who monitored and reported on citizens’ marital and procreative activities. These officials had the authority to impose penalties on those found in violation of the law.
Yes, Lex Papia Poppea had significant long-term effects on Roman society. It aimed to increase the population of Roman citizens and promote traditional family values. However, its strict provisions and penalties led to unintended consequences, such as increased divorces and fraudulent marriages.
There is no historical evidence to suggest that Lex Papia Poppea was ever repealed or modified. However, its enforcement gradually declined over time, and by the 3rd century AD, it was no longer actively enforced.
While Lex Papia Poppea was specific to Roman law, its focus on regulating marriage and procreation has had some influence on later legal systems. Similar concepts can be found in various historical and contemporary laws related to population control and family planning.
No, Lex Papia Poppea is not relevant today as it was specific to the Roman Empire and its societal context. However, it serves as an important historical example of how governments have attempted to regulate population growth and family structures in the past.
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This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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